AT LEAST 20 individuals in Central Luzon were arrested by joint personnel of Department of Trade (DTI) and Industry and Crime Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for violation due to overpricing of disinfectant alcohol.
According to DTI-Central Luzon director Judith Angeles, the arrest of the 20 individuals were in response to at least 87 consumer complaints related to profiteering of emergency medical supplies received by DTI from the seven provinces of the region.
Angeles said DTI partnered with CIDG to efficiently go after individuals who overprice essential medical supplies such as alcohol, face masks and thermal scanners to better protect the interest of consumers.
Aside from the arrest of suspects, the joint personnel of DTI and CIDG were also able to confiscate a total of 2,113 bottles of alcohol -- 993 bottles of 500 ml ethyl alcohol and 301 one-liter bottles, and the rest in small bottles.
The suspected hoarders were already charged for violation of the RA 7581 or the Price Act and RA 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
Meanwhile, DTI and CIDG is also partnering with Food and Drug Administration, which has the mandate to regulate the said products in checking hoarders and profiteers taking advantage of online selling and the panic brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The continuous and strict monitoring is part of the implementation of declared Price Freeze on Emergency Medical Supplies, and the ban on online selling of overpriced medical supplies like alcohol, face masks and thermal scanners.
Consumers are asked to report overpricing, hoarding and other related violations to the concerned agencies such as the DOH and FDA or to their local police.